The Moderator's diary
During their year in office, the Moderator visits two Church of Scotland Presbyteries; travels to partner churches overseas; represents the Church of Scotland on historic and national occasions; supports the work of Committees, congregations and organisations; and meets with interfaith and ecumenical bodies.
Below are details of the engagements in the moderatorial diary this month.
- 2 September 2024
The Moderator will meet online with the Church of Scotland’s Chief Officer.
- 4 September 2024
The Moderator will participate in an online meeting of the Scottish Church Leaders' Forum. In the evening, Dr Paterson will attend a ‘Beyond Srebrenica’ event at the Scottish Parliament, as ‘Inseparable: Lessons from a Nation Divided' is performed, to promote awareness of the 1995 genocide and wider atrocities against the Bosnian population.
- 5 September 2024
The Moderator will host a meeting of the Scottish Religious Leaders’ Forum as they gather in Edinburgh.
- 7 September 2024
The Moderator will lead Communion and speak on the topic "Sure Foundations" at the 2024 Church of Scotland Guild Annual Gathering.
- 8 September 2024
The Moderator will preach at Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire.
- 10 September 2024
The Moderator will meet with the Chief Executive of Ascension Trust Scotland, in preparation for going on patrol with Street Pastors towards the end of the year. In the afternoon, Dr Paterson will meet with the Director of Faith in Older People, to learn more about the charity’s work.
- 11 September 2024
The Moderator will meet online with the Secretary of State for Scotland, to discuss how the UK Government and faith communities might work together more closely.
- 17 September 2024
The Moderator will visit the Eric Liddell Community to meet their Chief Executive Officer and learn more about their work to support those with dementia, their carers and the community; and their work to secure the legacy of Eric Liddell.
- 18 September 2024
The Moderator will travel to the Scottish Parliament to meet with Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, to discuss achieving Fair Work and Fair Pay in the Social Care sector.
- 20 September 2024 - 24 September 2024
The Moderator will engage in the first of two visits during his year in office to the Presbytery of the South West. Dr Paterson’s initial visit will include preaching at the newly created Parish and united congregation on the Isle of Arran, and leading a time of reflection at South Beach House, a CrossReach Residential Care Home for older people, based in Ardrossan.
- 25 September 2024
The Moderator will address the Scottish Parliament’s Malawi Cross-Party Group’s hybrid gathering, sharing reflections and images from his recent visit to the country.
- 27 September 2024
- The Moderator will meet with Air Commodore James Linter OBE, in Edinburgh.
- 28 September 2024
The Moderator will attend the Scottish Parliament's 25th Anniversary Celebration at Holyrood.
- 29 September 2024
The Moderator will be a guest on Sanctuary First’s ‘Sunday Live’ online worship service, contributing a reflection and engaging in a Question and Answer session.